Chapter 22: "Magic" Yao Ming

Nuggets coach George Karl paused to reflect. Known for his advanced basketball philosophy, he had never encountered a team like the Rockets. Their style was reminiscent of the Princeton offense, yet undeniably simpler, allowing for explosive plays that caught opponents off guard.

On the court, the Nuggets were attempting to establish their own rhythm. Carmelo Anthony called for a ball to work in the post against Shane Battier. With his back to Battier, he pivoted and took a shot. But Battier unleashed a blinding defense, successfully obstructing Anthony's line of sight.

"Boom!" The ball clanged off the rim, and Yao Ming secured the rebound.

The Rockets advanced into the frontcourt, and Yao, commanding the ball, positioned himself to execute a play. Karl shouted instructions from the sidelines, urging his players to expand their defense and effectively cut off passing lanes for Battier and Rafer Alston.

In that moment, McGrady made a lightning-quick cut to the basket, positioning himself for a pass. Camby, battling against Yao, kept a wary eye on him, aware that a pass could come at any second.

Then, something magical happened that sent fans into a frenzy. Yao Ming, holding the ball high and backing into Camby, suddenly flicked the ball behind his head without even looking. It soared straight into the path of the cutting McGrady.

McGrady took a step, leaped into the air, and unleashed a powerful one-handed dunk.

"Boom!" The resounding thud echoed through the arena as the basketball slammed through the hoop.

The entire Toyota Center erupted in a chorus of cheers.

"Oh my God! What a magical pass! He's a center!" Barkley exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had not anticipated Yao Ming making such an extraordinary play.

"This new system has truly awakened Yao," Smith added, his excitement palpable. As a former member of the Rockets' championship team, he had once doubted their chances but now found himself rooting for their success.

The cameras quickly zoomed in on Yao, who, after making the play, ran back to the defensive end. He gestured toward the Rockets' bench, where Andrew, the first assistant coach, watched intently.

What did it mean?

In response, Andrew gave Yao a thumbs up, a clear acknowledgment of their budding chemistry. Although Yao had made similar passes to Francis before, the flair of this one left a lasting impression on the fans.

"Looks like I'm starting to connect the dots," Barkley remarked, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"What do you mean?" Smith asked, intrigued.

"Van Gundy is an excellent defensive strategist, but offensively, he tends to be conservative. Given Yao's gesture, I suspect this innovative play design came straight from Andrew's playbook," Barkley theorized.

Smith mulled over this idea, considering the implications.

Meanwhile, fans buzzed with speculation, pondering whether Andrew's influence was behind this new offensive strategy. After all, Andrew had been part of the coaching staff long enough for changes to begin taking shape.

As the game resumed, JR Smith missed a three-pointer, and the Nuggets continued to struggle offensively. Yao secured another rebound, pushing the Rockets forward.

Still stationed at the same spot, Yao prepared to receive the ball once more, prompting excited whistles from the crowd. This move was tried and true!

Unable to contain his frustration, Coach Karl rose from his seat and moved to the sideline, directing his players to tighten their defense.

Despite the Nuggets' athleticism and strong defensive capabilities, the Rockets struggled to create solid scoring opportunities, hampered by their lack of familiarity with the new tactics.

Yao recognized the stagnant offense and, with a clever fake to pass, shifted gears. He turned decisively, striding toward the basket. Camby, caught off guard, sprinted to catch up, just as Yao approached the three-second zone.

Seeing Camby lag, Yao executed a quick turnaround hook shot.

"Swish!" Before Camby could leap to contest, Yao's deft touch sent the ball sailing through the net.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy, the energy electrifying.

Andrew couldn't help but smile, reveling in Yao's prowess. This was where Yao Ming shone compared to others—he could not only set up teammates for great shots but also capitalize on opportunities when they presented themselves.

With a score of 7-0, the Rockets had forged a dream start.

The Nuggets, unable to contain their opponents, were forced to call a timeout.

"This is incredible! The Rockets have completely shattered our expectations! It's unbelievable!" Barkley exclaimed, overwhelmed with excitement. If he hadn't witnessed it himself, he would have doubted it was the same team that had struggled through the preseason.

"I'm more curious than ever about what's behind this transformation," Smith chimed in, his intrigue piqued.

As play resumed, the Nuggets finally broke their scoring drought when Anthony broke through for a basket, marking their first points of the game.

Yet, even with this glimmer of hope, they struggled to adapt to the Rockets' innovative offensive system.

With a score of 20-9, the Rockets made a few mistakes due to unfamiliarity with the new plays, but their overall performance remained impressive. Halfway through the first quarter, they had already established a commanding lead.

The atmosphere was electric, and the fans reveled in the Rockets' performance, which was a sharp rebuttal to the media's skepticism about their chances.

As the game approached the second half of the first quarter, both teams began rotating their lineups. Mutombo, Bonzi Wells, Hyde, and Millsap entered the game for the Rockets.

In his first appearance of the season, Millsap stepped in as the ninth man in the rotation, bringing fresh energy to the floor.

The Nuggets, too, rotated their players, with Andre Miller and Kenyon Martin remaining on the court, while Nene, Kreza, and Diawara came off the bench.